Hull Derby

In this article, we will explore the topic of Hull Derby in depth, analyzing its origins, development, and relevance today. From its first appearances to its impact on contemporary society, Hull Derby has been a topic of great interest and debate in different areas. Throughout the next few lines, we will examine its influence on various aspects of daily life, as well as its relationship with other relevant topics. In order to offer a comprehensive vision, we will dive into the various perspectives and opinions that exist around Hull Derby, with the purpose of providing a broader and enriching understanding.

Hull F.C. – Hull K.R.
LocationKingston upon Hull
Teams
First meeting22 March 1902
Latest meetingHull F.C. 14–28 Hull KR (18 April 2025)
Next meeting7 September 2025
StadiumsMKM Stadium
Craven Park
Statistics
Meetings total247
Most winsHull F.C. (124)
Largest victoryHull F.C. 56–12 Hull KR (19 April 2019) [1]
Locations of the two Hull teams within the East Riding of Yorkshire

The Hull derby refers to the rugby league rivalry between Hull F.C. and Hull Kingston Rovers. Both rugby teams are based in the city of Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The rivalry is the only British rugby league rivalry where the two clubs are from the same city. It is compared to the St Helens R.F.C.–Wigan Warriors rivalry as one of the highest profile rugby league rivalries in the United Kingdom.[2][3]

History

The MKM Stadium (left) and Craven Park (right) are the homes of Hull F.C. and Hull KR.

Hull F.C. and Hull KR were founded in 1865 and 1882 respectively. Hull F.C. were founding members of the Northern Rugby Football Union and breakaway code of rugby league in 1895. Hull KR initially remained playing rugby union but opted to join rugby league two years later after controversy over alleged professionalism (which was banned in rugby union) in their Yorkshire Cup win in 1897. Though the Yorkshire Rugby Football Union found them not guilty after an inquiry,[4] the Rugby Football Union overturned the YRFU's decision and suspended Hull KR.[5][6]

The two clubs were at the centre of a dispute in 1896 over use of the Athletics Ground (later renamed The Boulevard). Hull KR originally had tenancy however Hull F.C. took it over, forcing Hull KR out, after arguing they should have primacy as the older club and because they paid triple the £50 (£5,800 in 2019) a year rent that Hull KR were paying.[7] Hull F.C. purchased the ground outright in 1899 for £6,500 (£737,100 in 2019).[7] Hull KR moved to the east of the city and founded their own ground of Craven Street.[7] Hull KR took their place as a fully-fledged Northern Union club in 1899/1900 and, on 16 September 1899, they played the first competitive first team derby against Hull FC, winning 8–2 in front of a crowd of 14,000 at Craven Street. Finishing sixth out of 16 clubs in the YSC, above their neighbours, was a remarkable achievement in their first season in the NU.

The rivalry between the two sides sees a geographic split with the two teams separated by the River Hull; people living west of the river tend to support F.C. while residents east of the river are mostly Hull KR fans.[8] In 1981, the derby match on Good Friday was marred by hooliganism and brick throwing between the rival fans at The Boulevard. Hull F.C. were fined £1,000 and threatened with closure of their home ground unless it passed an inspection.[9]

The two sides competed in the 1979–80 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, which saw a Hull KR victory with a scoreline of 10–5 to mark their first and only Challenge Cup. Hull FC had won the cup once prior to then but never at Wembley, which became a source of ridicule for Rovers fans. The Black and Whites have since won the cup 4 times including twice at Wembley, most recently in 2017.[10]

Ahead of the formation of the Super League in 1996, a merger proposal was rejected along with several others which would have seen both teams merge to form one club called Humberside.[11] The merger proposal was intended to form higher-quality teams ahead of the new competition.[11] Hull F.C. were first promoted to the Super League in its third season in 1998, whilst Hull KR gained their first season in the competition in 2007, with the two clubs then playing their first derby in 13 years.[12] Hull F.C. have never been relegated from the Super League since their initial promotion,[13] whereas Hull KR spent one season in the Championship in 2017.[14]

The 2025 Challenge Cup quarter final derby was the first cup derby in 39 years, attracting an attendance of 20,226 to the MKM Stadium, the largest Challenge Cup quarter final attendance since a fixture between Leeds and Widnes in the 1989 Challenge Cup attracted over 29,000 fans to the Headingley Rugby Stadium.[15][16] Hull KR won the fixture with a scoreline of 32–16, knocking Hull F.C. out of the cup and ensuring their place in the semi finals.[17]

Head to Head

Statistics correct as of 18 April 2025[18]

In all competitions, competitive and uncompetitive:

Played Hull F.C. Drawn Hull KR
247 124 10 113

Meetings in major finals

Played – 9 Hull KR wins – 5 Hull FC wins – 4 Hull KR points – 76 Hull FC points – 89

Collective honours

Hull F.C. Honour Hull KR
Rank No. No. Rank
5th 6 League 5 9th
7th 5 Challenge Cup 1 20th
7th 1 Premiership 2 4th
6th 1 League Cup 1 6th
— 0 Charity Shield 0 —
— 0 World Club Challenge 0 —
5th 4 Yorkshire League 2 8th
6th 5 Yorkshire Cup 7 5th
5th 1 BBC2 Floodlit Trophy 1 5th

See also

References

  1. ^ "Custom Match List". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 21 May 2023.
  2. ^ "When is a derby not a derby". Love Rugby League. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  3. ^ "Ranking the top 10 rivalries in British Rugby League". Serious About Rugby League. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  4. ^ "Alleged professionalism in Yorkshire". The Guardian. 15 January 1897. p. 7. Retrieved 9 June 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ Collins, Tony (1996). Class, commercialism and community in the origins and development of the Northern Rugby Football Union 1857–1910 (PDF) (PhD). Sheffield Hallam University. p. 215. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  6. ^ Ulyatt, Michael E. (1983). Hull Kingston Rovers – A Centenary History 1883–1983 (1st ed.). North Ferriby: Lockington Publishing Co. Ltd. ISBN 0-905490-24-X.
  7. ^ a b c Goodman, David (2014). "3". Hull City A History. Amberley Publishing. ISBN 9781445616773.
  8. ^ "East vs west Hull: Does the rivalry really exist?". Hull Daily Mail. 24 March 2019.
  9. ^ Young, Angus (19 April 2019). "The Hull FC v Hull KR Good Friday derby that descended into one of city's darkest hours". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  10. ^ "Club Honours". Hull FC. Retrieved 14 March 2022.
  11. ^ a b "Throwback Thursday: What Super League should look like". 10 January 2019.
  12. ^ "How the first Super League Hull derby unfolded and what was said". Hull Daily Mail. 9 April 2020. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  13. ^ Seel, Rob (1 January 1970). "Ranking every newly-promoted team in Super League history from worst to best". Serious About Rugby League. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  14. ^ "Hull KR floor Widnes to secure top-flight promotion at the first attempt". The Guardian. 9 September 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  15. ^ Woodcock, Ian (4 April 2025). "Favourites will 'go out of window' in Hull derby". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 April 2025.
  16. ^ Bower, Aaron (4 April 2025). "Every Challenge Cup attendance record set to be broken in quarter-finals". Love Rugby League. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  17. ^ Tomlinson, Daniel (5 April 2025). "Hull KR weather Hull FC storm to record derby victory and seal semi-final spot". Hull Daily Mail. Retrieved 6 April 2025.
  18. ^ "Hull FC – Head to Head". Rugby League Project. Retrieved 6 June 2021.